Re-visiting prior choices?

rbiemer

rbiemer

Unabashed Amateur
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Over the years, I have owned and used a few of the FSU rangefinder cameras; FED 2, 3, 4, and 5; Kiev 2, 4, and 4a, Zorki 1 and 3m.
Currently I have just two a Zorki 1 and a fake "contax" which was a Kiev 4 now painted black and not working well.

One of the first I bought was a very nice FED 2 that I wanted to like. And I did like almost everything about it. The major trouble with that camera was the viewfinder. I just did NOT like using that camera because of the VF. It was not any fault with the camera but with my eyes and eyeglasses, it was not a good fit.

I have since moved onto bi-focals for my eyeglasses and am buying much better lenses--for my glasses--than I could afford then.

So, I'm now thinking that it might make sense to try the FED 2 again?

The Zorki VF seems smaller than the FED was but it works well enough for me.

Plus, it would give me a body to dedicate to a Jupiter-12...

Any opinions, thoughts folks?

Rob
 
The Fed 2 is generally considered to be the most reliable of the FSU's. It was the only one that worked for me right out of the box. However there are some great vendors now that teased me into a a Zorki 1 and Zorki 4 both were completely refurbished and work and look new. If you decide to pursue that route contact me and I'll dig out the vendors e**y info.
 
Last edited:
mortalenema said:
If you are going to use a FED 2 while wearing eyeglasses, I highly recommend buying eye piece patches from Aki Asahi.

http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/Fed-2/eyepatch/index.php

I have them on all my FSU cameras. Now I don't have to remove my glasses and attempt to compensate with the diopter adjustment.

You can't go wrong with a good FED 2. Solid shooter.
Click to expand...

Hi Mort... Does he deliver to the UK/Europe ?

Thanks. 😉
 
I too have found myself going back to my favorite FSU cameras. Agreed, there is an eyeglass problem. Like Raymond, I have experimented with rubber "O" rings on various cameras.

They work well on my Kiev II which has ample room for cement.

On my Zorki 1d, I've gone to a CV brightline finder, but with a simpler approach to non-scratch:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=159960
 
Folks,
Thanks for the input!
Ray and geoffox, I have dealt with that seller before--long enough ago that I'm not sure just what I bought but I do remember that the transaction went smooth and the lens(?) was as I expected/hoped.
And, as far as protecting my glasses, I have used O-rings from my local hardware store for a while. Rick, your suggestion about corn pads bears looking into, though!

I do have a few preferred vendors for FSU gear and will likely see what they have on offer and buy something next week.

Rob
 
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